The 10 Financial Traps That Keep Doctors Stuck

Hi everyone, it’s Kyaw. 👋
It’s been a busy few weeks with family matters and GP work, so I haven’t been able to keep up with my usual fortnightly newsletter.
But I’m now back on track — and back in my creative/teaching zone, which I’ve really missed.

Today’s trap is a personal one.
Trap Number 5 was something I lived through myself, and I know many doctors will recognise parts of it.
If you’ve ever found yourself stress-spending, defaulting to takeaways, or using little treats to “cope” with the rota… this one’s for you.

The Trap: When Spending Becomes a Coping Mechanism
Being a doctor is demanding — the shifts, the emotions, the constant “being on.”
And without realising it, I slipped into a pattern:

• Cider every evening (I love cider… but this became routine, not enjoyment)

• Takeaways by default

• “I deserve this” purchases that felt good for 10 minutes

None of it was luxury. It was burnout wearing a price tag.
And the worst part? I didn’t even notice the financial leak.

The Realisation: Short-Term Comfort, Long-Term Cost

It wasn’t a dramatic moment. Just discomfort creeping in.

• £50/week on food I didn’t enjoy

• Daily cider that wasn’t a treat anymore

• Impulse buys for a dopamine hit

I didn’t need more comfort.
I needed a system that looked after both my wellbeing and my money.

The Fix: Small Changes That Shift Everything

1️⃣ Recognise the Triggers

I had to be honest with myself:

• The cider was a “switch off” button

• The takeaways were exhaustion, not laziness

• The impulse buys were me looking for something to look forward to

Once I understood why I was spending, the shame disappeared — and change became possible.

2️⃣ Find Better Alternatives

My favourite discovery?

Walking on my walking pad while watching Japan walking tours on YouTube.
Zero cost. Zero guilt. Total mental reset.

I also swapped social media scrolling for reading, research, and yes… writing this blog and writing my finance book.

It didn’t just save money — it gave me my evenings back.

3️⃣ Break the Payday → Reward → Regret Cycle

Payday used to look like:
Relief → “I’m rich” → Uber Eats + random orders → Budget gone.

My new system:

• No spending for 24 hours (reset button)

• Savings & investments happen automatically first

• A fun budget so joy doesn't turn into financial chaos

(Though yes — some months I invest too aggressively and my wife reminds me we still need money for food. Apparently, you can’t eat compound interest.)

4️⃣ Budget With Purpose (My Version)

Instead of the classic 50:30:20, I flipped it:

50% Essentials
30% Investing & Wealth-Building
20% Lifestyle & Fun

Saving isn’t a leftover anymore — it’s a priority.

This single shift removed guilt and added clarity.

5️⃣ Think Beyond Today

I stopped asking:
“What can I buy today to feel better?”

And started asking:
“What can I do today that future me will thank me for?”

I still enjoy cider — just not daily.
I still buy things — but only when aligned with my goals, not my stress.

Final Thoughts: Financial Discipline = Self-Respect

Burnout doesn’t always scream.
Sometimes it looks like harmless habits that quietly drain your wallet.

The fix isn’t extreme — it’s intentional:

• Before: I spent to unwind.

• Now: I decompress without costing my future.

• Before: My money leaked out.

• Now: My money works for me.

If any of this feels familiar, here’s your reminder:
It’s not just a money trap — it’s a burnout trap.
And awareness is the first step out of it.